Pet Care Professional Trainer (In-Store)

Kennelwood-Pet-Resorts; Saint Peters (MO); On-site; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennelwood Pet Resorts in St. Peters is seeking an experienced Professional Dog Trainer to design personalized training plans, evaluate dogs, coach pet parents, and grow Kennelwood's training services within the resort.

The role blends hands-on dog training with client consultations, group and individual lessons, and community outreach to connect families with the right training programs while upholding Kennelwood's high standards.

Qualifications

• Requires dog-training education or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience working with dogs and understanding canine behavior.
• Familiar with balanced dog-training methods.
• Able to train and handle dogs of varying breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments.
• Experience conducting client consultations and lessons preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct training evaluations to understand each dog’s behavior, temperament, training history, and needs.
• Develop and implement individualized training plans using Kennelwood's training philosophy and standards.
• Train dogs of varying breeds and sizes using a balanced training approach.
• Provide client lessons and coach pet parents to reinforce training at home.
• Maintain client communication and progress updates.

Skills

Dog training experience

Canine behavior knowledge

Client coaching

Instructor/teaching

Education

Dog-training program completion

Job description

Pet Care Professional Trainer (In-Store)

Kennelwood Pet Resorts - St. Peters

Status: Full-Time
Shift: 8:00AM-5:00PM
Expected Days: M-F

Turn your dog-training experience into lasting results for pets and their people.

Kennelwood Pet Resorts is looking for an experienced Professional Dog Trainer to provide personalized training that helps dogs build skills, confidence, and appropriate behaviors while giving pet parents the tools they need to continue that progress at home.

As a Kennelwood Trainer, you’ll work directly with dogs of different breeds, ages, temperaments, and skill levels—but working with the dog is only part of the job. You’ll also evaluate training needs, develop individualized training plans, coach pet parents, build client relationships, and help connect families with the Kennelwood training services that best fit their goals.

This is a hands-on role for someone who understands canine behavior, enjoys teaching people as much as training dogs, and is comfortable taking an active role in growing client relationships and Kennelwood's Dog Training program.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct training evaluations to understand each dog’s behavior, temperament, training history, and individual needs.
• Recommend appropriate Kennelwood training programs and establish realistic expectations with pet parents.
• Develop and implement individualized training plans using Kennelwood's approved training philosophy, methods, and standards.
• Train dogs of varying breeds, sizes, ages, temperaments, and skill levels using a balanced training approach.
• Monitor training progress and adjust techniques appropriately within Kennelwood standards.
• Conduct individual and small-group client lessons to demonstrate techniques and teach pet parents how to reinforce training at home.
• Provide professional updates about training progress, challenges, and recommendations.
• Follow up with training inquiries, evaluations, and prospective clients.
• Educate clients about Kennelwood training services and additional opportunities appropriate for their pet’s needs.
• Help generate training opportunities through existing Kennelwood relationships and within the local community.
• Build professional referral relationships with veterinarians, rescues, breeders, community partners, and other appropriate referral sources.
• Participate in community events, demonstrations, and educational opportunities when requested.
• Maintain accurate training, behavioral, client-communication, and program documentation.
• Maintain safe, clean, and organized training areas, equipment, and supplies.
• Work collaboratively with resort leadership, Pet Care, Guest Experience, other Trainers, and Kennelwood team members.

What We’re Looking For

This position requires previous dog-training education or equivalent hands-on experience.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has completed a reputable dog-training program or has equivalent dog-training experience.
• Has experience working with dogs and understands canine behavior.
• Is familiar with balanced dog-training methods.
• Can safely train and handle dogs of varying breeds, sizes, ages, strength levels, and temperaments.
• Can evaluate behavior and temperament and select appropriate training approaches within Kennelwood standards.
• Is comfortable teaching and coaching pet parents in individual and small-group settings.
• Can clearly explain training concepts in a way clients can understand and use at home.
• Enjoys building relationships with clients and providing knowledgeable, supportive service.
• Is comfortable recommending appropriate training services based on a pet’s and client’s needs.
• Is organized and able to manage training sessions, evaluations, client lessons, documentation, scheduling, and follow-up responsibilities.
• Can work independently, take initiative, and exercise appropriate professional judgment.
• Is committed to animal welfare, ethical training practices, professionalism, and exceptional client service.

Previous professional dog-training experience and experience conducting client consultations, lessons, or behavioral evaluations are preferred.

Schedule & Availability

Kennelwood Professional Trainers are W-2 employees who work a schedule established by Kennelwood based on client, business, and operational needs.

Training schedules may vary based on appointments, evaluations, client lessons, pet-care needs, and business volume. Evening and weekend availability may be required.

Trainers are expected to remain for their full scheduled shift unless a schedule adjustment or early departure has been approved by leadership. Completion of scheduled training appointments, evaluations, lessons, or other commission-producing services does not independently determine the end of the scheduled workday.

Scheduled work time may also include client follow-up, documentation, meetings, continuing education, community events, cleaning, organization, and other responsibilities supporting Kennelwood's Training program and resort operations.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

Professional dog training is active, hands-on work. Team members should be comfortable:

• Standing and walking for extended periods and frequently bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
• Safely walking, handling, restraining, and maintaining control of dogs of varying breeds, sizes, strength levels, and temperaments.
• Reacting quickly and appropriately to unexpected animal behavior, movement, or safety concerns.
• Safely using training tools and equipment.
• Regularly lifting and carrying approximately 40 pounds and occasionally lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or safely handling up to approximately 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Performing cleaning and sanitation responsibilities associated with training areas, equipment, kennels, and other pet-care spaces.
• Working both indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.
• Working around barking and other loud noises, animal hair and dander, water, cleaning products, animal waste, bodily fluids, and live animals.

Bring Your Training Experience to Kennelwood

If you're an experienced dog-training professional who enjoys working with both dogs and people and wants to help pet parents build stronger relationships with their pets, we'd love to meet you.